BIOPARC Fuengirola is experiencing a very special moment in the heart of its rainforest. Reina, the female two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus), is pregnant and is now in the final stretch of her pregnancy, news of enormous emotional and scientific value that reinforces the park's commitment to animal welfare and biodiversity conservation.

The pregnancy is being monitored according to standard animal care and welfare protocols, including voluntary and risk-free veterinary checkups. These include ultrasounds performed as part of her daily routine, made possible by an advanced veterinary training program developed by the Zoology and Veterinary teams at BIOPARC Fuengirola.

Thanks to a progressive process of desensitization and familiarization, the caregivers have managed to get Reina to naturally accept the presence of the veterinary team and the contact necessary for the abdominal examination. To achieve this, the actual conditions of the procedure were simulated beforehand using instruments similar to an ultrasound probe, controlled pressures, and the application of gels, always without protected contact and under strict safety measures. This work allows for the regular monitoring of fetal development, heart rate, and the mother's overall condition without altering her behavior.

The pregnancy began to be suspected after the detailed recording of copulations and the subsequent observation of a slight abdominal distension in the last months, barely perceptible to non-expert eyes. This discretion is no accident: it's an evolutionary adaptation that allows sloths to go unnoticed by predators such as large birds of prey, felines, or constrictor snakes. Veterinary checkups confirm that the fetus is developing normally and at a good pace, while Reina maintains a completely stable behavior, diet, and routine.

The gestation period for this species is particularly long, with an estimated average of between 330 and 350 days, although significant variations have been described in the scientific literature. Currently, specialists place Reina in the last trimester of her pregnancy, a crucial phase that is being monitored continuously and tailored to her needs.

A unique, slow, and fascinating animal

Sloths are undoubtedly one of the most unique mammals on the planet. Their unmistakable appearance, with a slender body covered in dense fur, conceals a surprising adaptation to the arboreal environment. Despite having a very small muscle mass—approximately 25% of their body weight—these animals are extremely strong and possess a grasping system that allows them to live suspended for hours in the treetops of South American rainforests.

Their metabolism is one of the slowest among mammals, resulting in slow, silent, and deliberate movements, and curious behaviors such as only defecating on the ground every three to seven days. This slowness, far from being a disadvantage, is their main defense mechanism: to go unnoticed.

Among its most surprising curiosities is the veritable "ecosystem" found within its fur. Algae, fungi, and microorganisms coexist there in a complex mutualistic relationship that even includes moths. The algae, in addition to providing camouflage, are ingested by the sloth itself during grooming, offering nutritional benefits. A fascinating example of the complex interspecific relationships found in nature.

Conservation and scientific knowledge

Although the two-toed sloth is listed by the IUCN as a species of “Least Concern,” its wild populations face increasing threats such as habitat destruction and fragmentation, hunting for consumption, illegal trafficking, and persecution as a supposed “pest” species. In this context, monitoring reproduction in controlled environments provides key knowledge for the conservation, rehabilitation, and protection of more threatened related species.

BIOPARC Fuengirola

BIOPARC Fuengirola is an international leader in conservation, animal welfare, and environmental education. Through the faithful recreation of ecosystems, research programs, breeding programs, and public awareness campaigns, the park actively works to bring the most threatened biodiversity on the planet closer to the public and foster a commitment to its protection. Reina's pregnancy is yet another example of how science, respect, and daily care can make a difference for species and their future.